Every winter in North India, vanishes under a thick, grey haze, the talk turns to burning throats and breathless mornings. But beyond the obvious symptoms, another crisis is quietly unfolding in our bloodstreams. Doctors now warn that the air we breathe may be raising blood sugar levels, and worsening India’s diabetes burden.
Joining the dots and clinical observations have started connecting the dots between pollution and diabetes.
These microscopic pollutants — thinner than a strand of hair — enter the body through the lungs and travel through the bloodstream.
“Final particulate matter like PM 2.5 and other pollutants acts as endocrine disruptors.”
They interfere with insulin’s action in the liver and muscles, and can directly damage the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin When insulin production falls and resistance rises, blood sugar levels go up, paving the way for diabetes.”
It also triggers systematic inflammation and oxidative stress. “Pollution activates immune and inflammatory pathways in the body.”
“Markers such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha are elevated in individuals exposed to high pollution. This reduces insulin sensitivity.” The result is a slow but steady metabolic imbalance that can eventually manifest as Type 2 diabetes.
“This is not a lung issue alone; this is a whole body issue.”
ADDING TO NATIONAL BURDEN:
The warning comes at a time when India is already grappling with one of the highest diabetes loads in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, India had around 89.8 million adults (aged 20-79) living with diabetes in 2024 — up from 61 million in 2011 — making it the second most affected country after China. The figure is projected to cross 134 million by 2045 if current trends continue.
DOUBLE WHAMMY:
“Many patients experience higher glucose readings and fatigue during smog-heavy months. In those living with diabetes, this can make sugar control more difficult and increase the risk of heart and kidney complications.”
Air pollution acts as a double-edged sword, directly affecting metabolism and indirectly altering lifestyle patterns. “During high-pollution periods, people cut down on outdoor activity. That means less physical exercise and more weight gain. It becomes a perfect setup for worsening blood sugar.”
RURAL TOLL:
For decades, urban India has shown nearly double the diabetes prevalence of rural areas. The assumption was that urban lifestyles — richer diets, sedentary habits, and higher stress — were primarily to blame. But doctors say rural India isn’t immune either. “Indoor air pollution from cooking fuels such as biomass and firewood contributes to oxidative stress and prediabetes.”
“So India faces a double burden — urban smog and rural smoke. Both are silently damaging the body’s ability to process sugar.”
BEYOND SUGAR SPIKES:
While much of the research about the effects of pollution comes from US and China, Indian evidence is growing.
THE TOXIC LINK:
- Fine particles (PM 2.5) enter lungs via bloodstream.
- Trigger inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Damage insulin-producing cells.
- Reduce insulin sensitivity.
- Leads to higher blood sugar.
